Chagos Islanders Challenge British Rule, Seeking Justice for Homeland Return

Two women who were born on the Chagos Islands are preparing to take legal action against the British government over a contentious proposal to transfer sovereignty of their homeland to Mauritius. Their lawyers argued on Monday 17th March that it is both unjust and unlawful to leave the Chagossian community out of a decision that fundamentally affects the future of the tropical archipelago, serving as a crucial military base for both British and American forces.

This bold initiative follows the UK government’s announcement in October 2024, which revealed plans to return the Chagos Islands—previously separated from Mauritius in 1965—to its former colony.

Notably, however, Britain plans to retain control over Diego Garcia, the largest island and the site of a strategically essential military installation.

Unfortunately, negotiations regarding this transfer have hit a standstill, pending approval from the Trump administration.

The history behind this situation is marked by deep injustice.

Between the 1960s and 1970s, hundreds of islanders were forcibly removed from their homes to facilitate the construction of the US military base on Diego Garcia.

Many were relocated to the UK, and they have since faced ongoing legal battles to return to their birthplace.

Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, the two British citizens spearheading this legal challenge, express profound fears that returning home will only become more difficult if Mauritius regains sovereignty over the islands.

“Chagossians were taken from their homeland without any consultation, and we have suffered at the hands of the British government for sixty years,” commented Pompe.

“We struggle daily to comprehend the reasons for our ill-treatment. I wish to remain British, but I equally desire the right to return to the Chagos Islands.”

The women’s legal representatives have sent a formal letter to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, demanding a response by March 25.

While an initial agreement on the sovereignty transfer was established between Britain and Mauritius, the finalisation of the deal largely hinges on approval from the Trump administration.

Last year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that this agreement could pose a significant threat to US national security.

The military base on Diego Garcia currently houses around 2,500 personnel, mostly American, and is considered vital for security operations in the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa.

The discussions surrounding the sovereignty transfer have further stalled due to a shift in government in Mauritius and disputes regarding the financial compensation the UK should provide for leasing Diego Garcia.

Historically, the Chagos Islands were detached from Mauritius—then a British colony—in 1965, just three years prior to Mauritius’s independence.

The islands have been referred to as the British Indian Ocean Territory, and the ongoing challenges faced by the Chagossians have not escaped international scrutiny.

The United Nations and its highest court have urged the UK to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

In a non-binding advisory opinion in 2019, the International Court of Justice deemed the UK’s division of Mauritius unconstitutional.

Under the proposed agreement, a resettlement fund would be established to aid displaced islanders wishing to return to their homeland, excluding Diego Garcia.

However, specifics on the implementation of this plan remain unclear.

As the situation develops, the voices of the Chagos Islanders grow ever louder, underscoring their demand for justice, recognition, and the right to reclaim their heritage.

Source: Business Standard